Couple, 2 individuals, 2 groups honored for service

A couple, two individuals and two groups were honored March 18 during the annual San Antonio District laity awards celebration at Laurel Heights UMC, San Antonio.
Mike and Sharon Ford of Coker UMC, San Antonio, received the 2008 Bishop’s Exemplar Award for work on the church’s Mission Outreach Committee.
Arlene Barnett of Bethel UMC, San Antonio, was given the Ted Cara-vantes Christian Service Award. It is presented to those who are “good examples in the life of the church and community” and who have a focus on volunteer service.
The District Superintendent’s New Ventures in Ministry award went to Windcrest UMC for its Soul Café and Schertz UMC for its Flying Colors program.
Chris Welch of Laurel Heights UMC, San Antonio, received the District Superintendent’s Youth New Ventures in Ministry award for involvement in his youth group and mission work.
Bishop Joel N. Martinez gives the Exemplar Award annually to lay-people selected by each district board of laity “for witness, commitment and service after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Sharon Ford became the chair of Coker’s Mission Outreach Committee in 2003. The Fords “began to form a vision for missions,” said District Superintendent Virgilio Vazquez-Garza. They envisioned how Sunday school classes, United Methodist Men, United Methodist Women and individuals could all become involved in mission outreach.
The couple promoted how church members could serve locally in shelters and community centers. The Mission Outreach Committee told about weekend mission teams that would visit border towns in Mexico and 10-day teams that would travel to Guyana and Africa.
Under the Fords’ direction, Coker members began to get involved in new programs like Church Connections, which helps small, struggling San Antonio churches, and the Angel Food Project, making the church a distribution center. Members funded a built Habitat for Humanity houses every year.
Mike Ford said he and his wife have always believed that people are mission-minded.
“Somebody sitting beside you wants to become involved in mission outreach,” he said. “They may not know it yet. They may need your inspiration.”
Sharon Ford said, “My philosophy was (that) if you just got involved in service, the Lord would set your heart on fire.”
Barnett was cited for her work as a Sunday school teacher, church council member, thrift store manager and servant in many other positions. She regularly visits the sick and shut-ins and drives them to doctor appointments, the pharmacy or the grocery store.
Flying Colors is an after-school mentoring program begun by Barbara Ricks, a member of Schertz UMC. Ricks picks up elementary school youngsters twice a week, takes them to the church for homework and special project help, and takes them home.
Soul Café began in August 2007 and is a coffee ministry offered once a month at Windcrest UMC. Different church groups play host to the event each month. Leaders bring in singer/songwriters from the San Antonio area and invite people in the community to come. The gatherings see 90 to 100 people, with 20 percent of those unchurched.
Welch was commended for his involvement in the youth choir at Laurel Heights and his service on the board of stewardship and youth ministries committee. He is a mentor to younger youths.
Other nominees for the Ted Cara-vantes Christian Service award were:
> Joyce Allen, North Shore UMC, Canyon Lake.
> Ellen Evans, Laurel Heights UMC, San Antonio.
> Laurel Heights Youth Center team.
> Doris Johnston, Mary Pieper and Elnora Rutledge, Jefferson UMC, San Antonio.
> Joe Malone, St. Paul UMC, San Antonio.
> Bill McCalister, Coker UMC, San Antonio.
> Fred Staggs, Floresville UMC.
> Phil Swinney, Universal City UMC.
> Lon and Claudia Wright, Schertz UMC.
Other nominees for the District Superintendent’s New Ventures in Ministry were:
> Chrys Baier, Universal City UMC.
> Early Response Team, North Shore UMC, Canyon Lake.
> Education & Wellness Ministry—Lowe-Woods Task Force, St. Paul UMC, San Antonio.
> Magdalena House, University UMC, San Antonio.
> Ministry Outreach Area Buildings, Jefferson UMC, San Antonio.
> OIUMC Outreach Committee, Oak Island UMC.
> Saturday Night Alive Praise Service, Floresville UMC.
Other nominees for the District Superintendent’s Youth Ventures in Ministry award include:
> Chantry Baier, Universal City UMC.
> Samantha Lockhart, Schertz UMC.
Other nominees for the Bishop’s Exemplar Award include:
> Marty Barton-Rivera, Jefferson UMC, San Antonio.
> Cathy Blumberg, Epworth UMC, San Antonio.
> Evelyn Jo (Joey) Glowka, Oak Island UMC.
> Don Kahn, Trinity UMC, San Antonio.
> Karon O’Ferrall, Laurel Heights UMC, San Antonio.
> Robert and Lois Oliver, Bethel UMC, San Antonio.
> Charles and Alice Sutherlun, Schertz UMC.
> Johnnie L. and Johnnie M. Thompson, St. Paul UMC, San Antonio.
> Ed Thorpe, Universal City UMC.
> Steve Yates, North Shore UMC, Canyon Lake.